Holes is a young adult novel by Louis Sachar, first published in 1998. It intertwines the stories of several characters, central among them Stanley Yelnats IV, a boy who is wrongfully convicted of theft and consequently sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile corrections facility in Texas. The facility, devoid of a lake but plentiful in holes dug by the campers for "character-building," has a deeper purpose linked to the Warden's search for a long-hidden treasure. The plot delves into themes such as the intergenerational impact of actions, the search for redemption, and the power of friendship.
The novel unfolds through the lens of three timelines. The mid-1800s storyline follows Elya Yelnats in Latvia and his ill-fated love, culminating in a curse that shadows his lineage. The late 19th-century storyline follows the tragic love story of Kate Barlow and Sam in Green Lake, Texas, which transforms Kate into a notorious outlaw. The contemporary story focuses on Stanley Yelnats IV's time at Camp Green Lake. Sachar skillfully connects these narratives, revealing a tale of crime, punishment, and ultimately redemption as Stanley discovers the truth about the camp's activities and unravels the history of his family's curse.
Widely acclaimed by critics, Holes received several prestigious awards, including the 1998 US National Book Award for Young People's Literature and the 1999 Newbery Medal for its significant contribution to American children's literature. It also achieved commercial success, becoming a New York Times bestseller and eventually being adapted into a feature film by Walt Disney Pictures in 2003. Holes stands as a testament to Sachar's ingenuity in crafting a multifaceted story that continues to engage readers across generations.
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About the author
Louis Sachar
Louis Sachar is an American author renowned for his contributions to children's literature. His notable works include the critically acclaimed novel Holes (1998), which earned him the US National Book Award for Young People's Literature and the Newbery Medal for outstanding contribution to American literature for children. He also wrote the screenplay for the 2003 film adaptation of Holes by Walt Disney Pictures. His other books for children include the Wayside School series and the standalone novels The Cardturner (2010) and Fuzzy Mud (2015).
Born in 1954 in East Meadow, New York, Sachar moved with his family to Tustin, California, at age nine. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in Economics, followed by a law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. While working part-time as a lawyer, he began writing stories for children and published his first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, in 1978. From there, his literary career gained momentum, allowing him to commit to writing full-time by 1989.
Sachar is recognized for blending humor and mystery with a deep understanding of young readers’ perspectives, bringing real-world authenticity and empathy to his characters and settings. His works have been influenced by his personal experiences, from his work as a teacher's aide during his university days to his dislike for the summer heat, as well as his wife's insights as an elementary school counselor. Despite his success, Sachar maintains a unique writing ritual—he isolates himself from the outside world, with the sole companionship of his dogs, until each new book is complete, underpinning his immersive approach to storytelling. Married to Carla Askew since 1985 and a father to one daughter, Sachar makes his home in Austin, Texas.
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